In an exclusive interview with TooFab, the star of All My Children shared his emotional journey of being declared cancer-free for the third time, a triumph he revealed earlier this year. His latest diagnosis was prostate cancer, following earlier battles with testicular cancer in both 2006 and 2007.

“I believe it is more of a measured relief, having now been diagnosed three times with cancer,” he expressed, reflecting on his journey. “When I went to the hospital and the doctor told me that [I was cancer-free], I became emotional. I broke down, hoping to be healthy for at least a little longer.”

“I want to get married, I want to have children, and I still have goals and objectives that I need to accomplish,” he continued, before discussing his newfound priorities following this positive news.

“After being diagnosed with cancer, I felt this urgency to accomplish everything I ever wanted to do, driven by the fear of not being around much longer,” he shared. “I found myself in a state of anxiety, thinking, ‘I want to do this, and I need to travel here,’ which led me to say yes to nearly everything. Eventually, I realized I needed to slow down, as trying to do too much can stretch us too thin.”

He admitted that he still faces challenges in establishing boundaries while wanting to seize every opportunity that comes his way. He advised others to “focus on one or two things that truly inspire you” and “learn to say ‘no’ more often.”

“I still like to say yes to everything. My friends, family, and team constantly remind me, ‘Okay, Colin, hold on, let’s prioritize here,’” he chuckled. “I’m quite ambitious, so it’s essential to remember to create balance in my life.”

When Egglesfield was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2006, it occurred shortly after he joined the cast of the daytime soap opera. He shared with TooFab that he felt immense support from his co-stars and director, even though he initially found it challenging to open up about his struggles.

“I tried to keep it from everyone because I didn’t want anyone to know I was going through cancer, especially since it was testicular cancer… it felt very personal,” he explained. “I feared that if my producers found out about my illness, I could be fired, leaving me with many uncertainties.”

“During my radiation therapy, I was on set feeling unwell, and my director came up to me, asking if I was alright. I broke down, realizing I was scared and needed help,” he continued, revealing the emotional weight he carried.

“Afterward, everyone on set, including my fellow actors, producers, makeup artists, and wardrobe staff, showed their support,” he recalled fondly. “Whenever I walked down the hall, they would come up to me, offering hugs and letting me know, ‘If you need someone to accompany you to your doctor’s appointments, just ask.’”

Aside from his All My Children castmates, TooFab also inquired whether anyone from his iconic romantic comedy, Something Borrowed, reached out during his recent cancer journey.

“Not from Something Borrowed, but several individuals from different projects I’ve worked on and even some high school friends that I hadn’t spoken to in 30 years reached out,” he mentioned. “Distant relatives from Ireland and other places also showed incredible support, which has been heartwarming.”

Egglesfield also expressed gratitude for the City of Hope hospital in Phoenix, where he received his most recent treatment. He highlighted their Cancer Fighters program, a support group he connects with via Zoom, which incorporates his 90-day manifestation journal, “Agile Artist, 90 Manifestation Playbook.”

“I believe it’s crucial that whenever you know someone going through a tough time, even a simple text message or a phone call can go a long way in letting them know they’re not alone,” he added, emphasizing the importance of support, a lesson he learned during his time on All My Children.

Before his 2023 diagnosis, Egglesfield began to feel a deeper calling in his life, which ultimately led him to move away from Los Angeles.

“In 2018, I reached a point in Los Angeles where I had accomplished incredible jobs and fulfilled my dream of working on some of the best projects available. However, I still felt a desire to make a meaningful impact on other people’s lives,” he shared, expressing his yearning for more than just personal success.

“Despite walking the red carpets and working on amazing TV shows and films while traveling the world, I reached a point where I felt ready to make a difference in others’ lives, rather than solely chasing my own goals and dreams,” he explained, revealing his desire for a more fulfilling path.

He expressed feeling “stuck” at a certain point in his career, grappling with the industry’s shift towards streaming platforms.

“The industry was changing with platforms like Netflix and Amazon, which impacted the financial compensation for actors and their residuals,” he noted. “I started realizing that, from a career perspective, I needed to pursue something outside of acting, as the landscape was shifting significantly.”

Egglesfield found himself returning to his roots in Chicago, stepping away from Hollywood to spend quality time with family. He added, however, “I still love acting; it remains my passion and one of my favorite things to do.”

He has now also become a coach and advocate for health and wellness, hosting monthly meditation sessions to invite others to reflect on their own lives. Through this work, he has discovered numerous opportunities to keep acting in his life and has even begun producing.

“Through this journey, I’ve connected with film producers and directors, and in creating new projects, I’ve realized it’s much like producing films,” he shared. “As a result, I produced my first film that was released last August, titled Duchess. Currently, I’m working on three different projects with two different screenwriters, and I’ve learned that the more you assist others with their needs, the more valuable you become.”

To delve deeper into his early career and cancer experiences, read his book, “Agile Artist,” which offers insights into his journey.